Policing Stress, Burnout, and Mental Health in a Wake of Rapidly Changing Policies

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly contributed to stress among people worldwide, with first responders being disproportionately burdened. The enduring impacts and strategies to prevent burnout and recover from the pandemic among policing personnel remain unclear to date. Two-hundred ninety-seven participants from a large US metropolitan police department completed surveys, and 25 also participated in interviews. Results indicated that COVID-19 was an inflated stressor for police, primarily through staffing shortages, limited resources, and rapidly changing policies. Civilian (and command) experiences differed considerably from sworn personnel. Policing-specific stress and burnout significantly impacted mental and physical health outcomes. Rapidly changing policies extending beyond the COVID-19 pandemic were stressful but were not identified as the largest source of stress for many interviewed individuals. Many participants stated that ongoing negative scrutiny and social movements specific to anti-Black racism in policing were more stressful. This study highlights the need for wellness initiatives in police agencies as society moves beyond the pandemic. Navigating the post-pandemic world is key for bridging police-community divides moving forward. With this knowledge, one can better support all personnel within an agency, with ripple effects on community member safety and health.